billet-203??
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
billet-203??
Guys,
Getting parts to do coolant flush. Billet housing seems highly recommended, but that many have had difficulty getting the billet housing to seal.
PB housing bolts before removal and replace with new bolts w/ anti-seize?
Any additional o-rings or gaskets needed? RTV or not?
I,ve read that some think the 203 stat drives oil temps to high, or use stock 195(??)
Truck is 2002 w/ 84K miles
All input is very much appreciated.
DND58
Getting parts to do coolant flush. Billet housing seems highly recommended, but that many have had difficulty getting the billet housing to seal.
PB housing bolts before removal and replace with new bolts w/ anti-seize?
Any additional o-rings or gaskets needed? RTV or not?
I,ve read that some think the 203 stat drives oil temps to high, or use stock 195(??)
Truck is 2002 w/ 84K miles
All input is very much appreciated.
DND58
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 0
From: Yuba City, CA.
It's been awhile since I installed mine, but I'll try to help. I had no problems getting mine to seal. I took the old one off, scraped the scale off, chased the threads and then blew the holes out with compressed air. It's never had an issue, and it's been about 2 years. I really like the billet compared to the stamped metal housing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
I thought I was a real smart cookie. WGAS about the instructions. I knew better. Well, I had leaks. Couldn't stop it to save my life. This time, I got fresh long bolts (One of the OEM ones is short, IIRC), cleaned the surface, put the housing down, tighten them one at a time and went around getting it tighter and tighter and now there are no leaks. I did it previously by tightening one end down, then the other and then the other. Bad move. Snug them up and tighten bit by bit. I also replaced the O-ring with a Ford one.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I had zero problems with mine.
I too scraped the surface to insure a good seal with the billet housing. Then I screwed the housing down the same way Andrew did, by snugging one screw down at a time, then tightening them down one at a time.
I used the O-ring that came with the thermo from Dieselsite.
No problems whatsoever.
Stewart
I too scraped the surface to insure a good seal with the billet housing. Then I screwed the housing down the same way Andrew did, by snugging one screw down at a time, then tightening them down one at a time.
I used the O-ring that came with the thermo from Dieselsite.
No problems whatsoever.
Stewart
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
I had zero problems with mine.
I too scraped the surface to insure a good seal with the billet housing. Then I screwed the housing down the same way Andrew did, by snugging one screw down at a time, then tightening them down one at a time.
I used the O-ring that came with the thermo from Dieselsite.
No problems whatsoever.
Stewart
I too scraped the surface to insure a good seal with the billet housing. Then I screwed the housing down the same way Andrew did, by snugging one screw down at a time, then tightening them down one at a time.
I used the O-ring that came with the thermo from Dieselsite.
No problems whatsoever.
Stewart
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
couple years on mine and no leaks whatsoever. I don't think i would even consider staying with a stock housing ever again after looking at the difference.
I also have the 203 thermostat, don't notice any issues with water or egt, although I don't have a oil temp gauge so can't give any info there.
I also have the 203 thermostat, don't notice any issues with water or egt, although I don't have a oil temp gauge so can't give any info there.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
I just installed mine about two months ago. The only issue I have is one of the bolts broke. I fought a while to get it out and gave up figuring I would need to replace the water pump to fix the issue. Well I had to use my pickup the next morning so I tightened up two bolts on the new housing hoping for only a small leak. Much to my surprise I had no leak. Still have no leak! I have been watching it for a hint of a leak, but it is dry as a bone. That bullet housing is strong enough to seal with only 2 of the 3 bolts. I do however have a water pump waiting for free time to swap it.
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